China and South Asia: Sichuan and Tibet’s Role in Sub-regional Cooperation

ISDP FORUM with Dr. Dai Yonghong

Research Professor of International Relations and World Economy at Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), and Director of Center for Myanmar Studies, Sichuan University, China

Thursday, September 04, 2014, 10.00-11.30

Much attention has been focused on President Xi Jinping’s “Silk Road Economic Belt” initiative connecting China with Europe through Central and West Asia, as well as that of establishing a “Maritime Silk Road.” Part of China’s opening up and development strategies, both intend to create economic belts for win-win cooperation and mutual benefit.

Rather less studied but of crucial importance for China is increasing channels and cooperation with the eight countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)—home to 1.5 billion people. Adjoining this region, the provinces of Sichuan (as the largest economy in west China) and Tibet (with the longest border with the SAARC countries) have the potential to play an important role in sub-regional cooperation by participating in the “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” and “Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Economic Corridor” (BCIM) Initiatives. This can benefit both Sichuan and Tibet (and so China) as well as the SAARC countries in realizing the goals of political stability and economic development.

Professor Dai Yonghong, PhD of Economics, is currently a research professor of International Relations and World Economy at Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), and Director of Center for Myanmar Studies, Sichuan University, China. Before joining ISAS, Dr. Dai had a good record of research and publication on international and regional cooperation, including legal affairs and management of overseas companies. Dr. Dai had been working on international contracting & international trade in South Asia from 1986 to 1997, in charge of bidding and management of loan programs granted by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. He also worked as a business development analyst in energy MNC in Canada. Furthermore, he visited and studied at the University of British Columbia and University of Calgary in 2005 and 2008 respectively.

In recent years, Dr. Dai has broadened his research to encompass international relations, world politics, regional security, especially China-South Asia relations, big powers and South Asia security, geopolitics and energy strategy. He is the author and editor of 6 books and 80 research papers and also the leader of several national, provincial and municipal projects.

Dr. Dai is currently staying at ISDP as guest researcher, focusing on Competing and Cooperation Games Among China, US and India in Myanmar and China’s Strategic Options.

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP to Ms. Lisa Bäckman at lbackman@isdp.eu